When Chelsea have got over the shock and shame of not winning 6-0 – as they had done in their first two games of this season – they will realise the value of this rather more subdued scoreline. As they have already proved this campaign, creating chances is not a problem for Carlo Ancelotti's side, but sometimes the putts don't drop. If they had, then they might even have equalled the 7-0 thrashing they doled out to Stoke City on this ground in April. After all, when Ashley Cole could have scored twice, you know there are goals to be had.

Instead it was two of the regulars on the scoresheet, Florent Malouda and Didier Drogba, who ensured Chelsea go into the international break top of the nascent Premier League table.

Having hammered West Brom and Wigan on the first two weekends, Ancelotti could hardly have asked the fixture computer for a more favourable third game than Stoke, at home, if he had programmed it himself. As it was, until Drogba, from the penalty spot, scored the Blues' second goal, 14 minutes from time, the league champions risked embarrassment.

Ancelotti said: "Today was not our best but the result was important. There was a lot of difficulty as we didn't have a high tempo. I'm happy because we won, didn't concede a goal, and maintained [their place on the] top of the table. In the first half it was better and we could have scored more than one goal. The second half was more difficult."

That point was made clear by Glenn Whelan after 66 minutes. The Stoke substitute scored a winning goal at Spurs last season, and this time he almost made a difference again. The Irish midfielder tried his luck from 35 yards out but saw his effort rebound off Petr Cech's bar. And with that went Stoke's hopes of their first point of the season, although Tony Pulis, their manager, felt their performances so far have merited some reward.

"We had our moments but overall Chelsea were the better team," Pulis said. "They have some great players and had numerous opportunities but I give credit to our lads for the work they put in."

They might have prevented a third consecutive defeat if either of their chances inside the first 10 minutes had gone in, the first when Dean Whitehead tested Cech from 18 yards, the second when Jonathan Walters saw his lob clear Cech but also the crossbar.

By that time, Cole had already hooked his first chance wide, and then the hosts won a penalty when Malouda was brought down by Ryan Shawcross. However, Thomas Sorensen guessed correctly and dived low to his left to save Frank Lampard's spot-kick, the third consecutive penalty the England midfielder has missed for club and country.

It was a tame effort and could be explained by the fact he now needs groin surgery, which Ancelotti revealed afterwards will happen in midweek. It will rule him out of both of England's Euro 2012 qualifiers in the next 10 days.

But with Chelsea in their current form, they have plenty of goalscoring options and Malouda is one of them, although the source was unusual, with John Terry supplying the pass on the counterattack after 32 minutes. The French winger's fourth goal of the season was smartly taken after the Chelsea captain picked him out in the penalty area.

If Cole's volley a minute later had gone in instead of hitting the crossbar, Stoke might have wilted but they were able to cling on until Chelsea were awarded their second penalty of the day. Drogba picked out Nicolas Anelka with a long pass but Sorensen, rushing to the edge of his area, fouled the Frenchman. With Lampard off the pitch, Drobga reminded his team-mate what to do from 12 yards.

THE FANS' PLAYER RATINGS AND VERDICT

KAREN CHILDS, Observer reader I always thought Stoke were going to be a tough, feisty team to play, and we didn't have a great start with Lampard having a penalty saved but we were fine – we really look like we're playing as a team. Stoke played well in parts and it was the toughest game we've had so far but it was still fairly comfortable and could have been 4-0. Essien was brilliant and Mikel is blossoming; he used to be a loose cannon under pressure but he looks much more confident and composed now. Cole had a great game and could have scored twice. Ramires came on with only nine minutes left so it was difficult to gauge him on that.

RICHARD MURPHY, Author, Stoke City On This DayThis trip to Stamford Bridge was so much better than the last one! We played quite well and certainly didn't disgrace ourselves but it never really looked like we would. They carved us open on occasions, but they do that to everybody. For long parts of the second half we looked like we could get something, and had one cleared off the line so it was encouraging. It's been a bizarre start to the season, having no points, but there are worse teams than us and we're stronger than last year. We're playing all right but we need a bit of luck – if we perform like we did in the second half and get a few more players, we'll be OK.